Exploring Russia and the
Republics
The Five Themes of Geography
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Location
Location
• Major
Cities
• Major
Landforms
• Major
Bodies
of Water
Russia is the world’s largest country – nearly twice
the size of Canada. Russia stretches across Europe
and Asia form the Baltic Sea to the Pacific Ocean
and from the Arctic Ocean to the Black and
Caspian Seas. Asian Russia is often called “Siberia.”
(Click on map for larger view.)
• Major
Landmarks
This is a map of the Arctic Ocean, or North Pole.
Russia stretches from 42° N latitude to 81° N latitude
and from 30° E longitude to 170° W longitude. (Click
on map for larger view.)
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Major Cities
Location
• Major
Cities
• Major
Landforms
• Major
Bodies
of Water
• Major
Landmarks
The major cities of Russia and the Republics stretch from Chernobyl, Ukraine,
the site of the 1986 nuclear reactor disaster, to the southwestern port city of
Vladivostok. (Click on each of the maps for a larger view.)
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Major Bodies of Water
Location
• Major
Cities
• Major
Landforms
• Major
Bodies
of Water
• Major
Landmarks
(Click on each map for a larger view.)
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Location
In European Russia, the Volga River serves as a major trading route. Since the
northern seas remain frozen most of the year, the Baltic and Black Seas
remain extremely important for Russian shipping. In Asian Russia, again the
northern seas are mostly frozen, but Russia has access to the Sea of Japan for
shipping and trade into the Pacific region. Lake Baikal is the world’s deepest
lake.
Place
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Region
Location
Major Landforms
Location
• Major
Cities
• Major
Landforms
• Major
Bodies
of Water
• Major
Landmarks
West of the Ural Mountains, Russia is dominated by the fertile
Northern European Plain. East of the Ural Mountains, lies the West
Siberian Plain, then the Central Siberian Plateau with mountain
ranges dominating the far east.
(Click on each map for a larger view.)
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Major Landmarks
Location
The site of the Kremlin (below), in Moscow, has been
inhabited by the czars for centuries. The current building was
constructed in 1516. It now serves as the center for the
Russian national government. It sits along the Moscow River
and Red Square near St. Basil’s Cathedral. (Click on picture for
more pictures.)
• Major
Cities
• Major
Landforms
• Major
Bodies
of Water
• Major
Landmarks
St. Basil Cathedral (above), in
Moscow, was built in 1555-1561 by
Ivan the Terrible. (Click on picture
for more pictures.)
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Human
Characteristics
Physical
Characteristics
• Soil
• Language
& Culture
• Climate
• Economy
• Resources
• Government
• Historical
Background
• Vegetation
& Wildlife
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Language & Culture
Human
Characteristics
A Russian Folk Art, (left) nesting dolls have
been popular toys for children since the
19th century.
• Language
& Culture
Mikhail Baryshnikov
(left) is often considered
the world’s greatest living
dancer. In Russia, ballet
is an important aspect of
culture.
• Economy
• Government
• Historical
Background
“War and Peace” by Leo
Tolstoy (1865) is not
only a classic piece of
Russian literature, but is
also considered one of
the best novels in the
world.
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Russia is also known for its love of sports.
Maria Sharapova (above) is currently ranked
5th in the world.
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Place
Movement
The Russian alphabet has 33
letters. (Click on the picture
for a larger view.)
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Region
Place
Economy
Human
Characteristics
Russia’s per capita GDP was $12,200 in 2006.
• Language
& Culture
• Economy
• Government
• Historical
Background
The Russian
economy is made
up of:
The Russian currency, or money, is called
the ruble.
5% farming
40% industry
55% services
Russia produces 9.4 million barrels of oil per
day, second in the world only to Saudi Arabia.
Russia produces
more natural gas
than any other
country in the world.
Russia’s unemployment
rate is rather high at 6.6%.
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Government
Human
Characteristics
• Language
& Culture
• Economy
• Government
• Historical
Background
Vladimir Putin is the President
of the Russian Federation.
Although Russia today is a representative democracy,
President Putin has recently given more power to the central
government and democracy in Russia remains weak.
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Historical Background
Human
Characteristics
• Language
& Culture
• Economy
• Government
• Historical
Background
Czar Nicholas II was czar
from 1894-1917 until the
Communists overthrew him.
Czar Nicholas II and his family who were
all executed at Yekaterinburg in 1917.
Joseph Stalin was the head
of the Soviet Union from
1922-1953. He was best
known for putting down
anyone who criticized him
and sending many people
to prisons in Siberia.
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Vladimir Lenin, leader of
the Communist Revolution
in Russia and first head of
the Soviet Union.
Mikhail Gorbachev was
head of the Soviet Union
from 1985-1991. He is
known for reforming the
Communist Party which
ultimately led to the fall of
the Soviet Union.
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Soil
Physical
Characteristics
In southwestern Russia, the soil is some of the most
fertile in the world. Here they raise grain, sugar beets,
fruits, vegetables, beef, and milk.
• Soil
• Climate
• Resources
• Vegetation
& Wildlife
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Climate
Physical
Characteristics
Russia has several types of
climate. Since it is so far north
most of the country has a
subarctic climate. Russia has
four seasons with extremely
long and cold winters. (Click
on the map for a larger view.)
• Soil
• Climate
• Resources
• Vegetation
& Wildlife
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Resources
Physical
Characteristics
• Soil
• Climate
• Resources
• Vegetation
& Wildlife
Russia’s resources are plentiful, but they are spread out and difficult to get to and transport to
populated areas.
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Vegetation & Wildlife
Physical
Characteristics
• Soil
• Climate
• Resources
Scientists believe that climate change is
making Russian bears more aggressive.
The Siberian tiger is
recovering after nearly
becoming extinct.
• Vegetation
& Wildlife
Forests stretch across eastern Russia.
Cranes live in wildlife reserves in
eastern Russia.
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People
Goods
Ideas
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People
The Trans-Siberian Railroad links Russia’s far east with
the more developed west. Many people travel across
Russia on this railroad.
People
Goods
Ideas
The Trans-Siberian Railroad
travels from Moscow to
Vladivostok in the far east.
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Goods
People
Goods
Russia exports a lot of lumber from
its vast forests. They also export oil,
natural gas, metals, chemicals, and
manufactured military products to
countries all over the world.
Ideas
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Ideas
People
Goods
The biggest idea that has diffused from Russia is communism.
During the Soviet Era, the Soviet Union influenced many
countries to accept a communist government, including China,
North Korea, Cuba, and others.
Ideas
Soviet propaganda (government advertising) posters
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Depending on
the Environment
Environmental
Change
Adaptations to
Environment
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Depending on the Environment
Depending on
the Environment
Russians depend on their
environment to grow a
variety of crops, such as
grain, sugar beets, fruits,
vegetables, beef, and
milk.
Environmental
Change
Adaptations to
Environment
Russians depend on their environment
for resources like oil, natural gas,
lumber, and coal.
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Environmental Change
Depending on
the Environment
The nuclear reactor disaster at Chernobyl, Ukraine in 1986
destroyed the surrounding environment. The water, trees, and
wildlife in the area all suffered, as did over 237 people, 31 of
which died within 3 months of the disaster. People are still sick
from the disaster even today. There have been many nuclear
accidents in Russia, but Chernobyl was the worst.
Environmental
Change
Adaptations to
Environment
Hydro-electric power is made by dams which
flood the natural environment to create a
reservoir of water. The electricity made by
the dams provides many people with power
for their homes.
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Adaptations to Environment
Depending on
the Environment
Russians need to adapt
to the harsh weather
conditions by wearing
warm clothing and
driving through snow
and ice.
Environmental
Change
Adaptations to
Environment
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Human Regions
Physical Regions
• Population
• Vegetation
• Ethnic Groups
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Population
Human Regions
• Population
• Ethnic Groups
Most people live in the
southwestern European
part of Russia because the
climate is mild, the soil is
fertile, there are resources,
and trade with Europe is
easier. (Click on the map
for a larger view.)
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Ethnic Groups
Human Regions
• Population
• Ethnic Groups
There are many different
and unique ethnic groups
in Russia. (Click on the
map for a larger view.)
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Vegetation
Physical Regions
• Vegetation
There are many
different types of
vegetation in Russia,
but coniferous forests
cover most of the land.
(Click on the map for a
larger view.)
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